Journeyman pipefitters under UA Local 6 in Rochester, MN earn $44.31/hr in base wages, or $63.97/hr as a total package with fringe benefits, effective Oct 2022. This sheet is more than 2 years old, so confirm the current rate with the hall before quoting it.
UA Local 6 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list — call the hall to confirm hours, books and what to bring. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
The Local 6 pay scale is $44.31 per hour for journeymen in Rochester, MN, or about $88,620 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $63.97 per hour. That is the last wage sheet we can source for this local — confirm the current rate with the hall.
| Local 6 journeyman hourly wage | $44.31 / hour |
|---|---|
| Total package (wage + fringe benefits) | $63.97 / hour |
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $88,620 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $19.94–$22.16 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 10/21/22 |
| Classification | Combo |
A Local 6 apprentice in Rochester, MN starts at roughly $19.94 an hour — about 45% of the $44.31 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $33.23 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 6 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $19.94 / hour | $39,879 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $24.37 / hour | $48,741 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $28.80 / hour | $57,603 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $33.23 / hour | $66,465 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $37.66 / hour | $75,327 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $44.31 / hour | $88,620 |
UA Local 6 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — call 507-288-4172 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
United Association Local 6 represents skilled plumbers, pipefitters, and service technicians across the Rochester, Minnesota, market and the surrounding Southeastern Minnesota region. As a critical hub for healthcare and biotechnology, the Rochester jurisdiction demands a highly technical workforce capable of maintaining complex mechanical systems within sophisticated medical and research facilities. Local 6 members provide the specialized labor necessary for high-pressure steam, medical gas, and precision process piping that fuels the regional economy. Since 2014, Gulfstream Strategic Placements has monitored the signatory landscape here to assist tradespeople and contractors in navigating the specific labor requirements of this specialized plumbing and mechanical territory.
The market for UA Local 6 is defined by a unique mix of institutional stability and industrial growth, driven largely by the presence of world-class medical institutions and their supporting infrastructure. Unlike broader metropolitan markets, the Rochester area focuses heavily on high-specification commercial plumbing and mechanical pipefitting for the healthcare sector. Signatory contractors in this region rely on the Local 6 Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee to supply a pipeline of workers who meet rigorous certification standards. This ensures that the mechanical integrity of critical infrastructure is maintained by a workforce that adheres to the highest safety and quality standards established by the United Association.
Based on the figures effective October 21, 2022, the journeyman hourly rate for UA Local 6 stands at $44.31, contributing to a total package of $63.97 when including fringe benefits. Apprentices entering the program typically begin at a percentage of the journeyman rate, often starting between 45% and 50% and increasing annually as they complete required classroom hours and on-the-job training milestones. These scheduled increases provide a clear pathway toward the full $44.31 hourly scale over a five-year period. It is important to note that the $19.66 difference between the check and the total package covers essential benefits like healthcare and retirement, which are paid by the signatory contractor on behalf of the member. Professionals should contact the Rochester business office to verify the most current rates for specific classifications.
The chartered jurisdiction for UA Local 6 covers a multi-county area in Southeastern Minnesota, centered on the Rochester metropolitan area. This territory includes major work sites ranging from rural industrial facilities to dense urban medical campuses. The union's authority encompasses the installation, maintenance, and repair of all piping systems, including HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, and process piping within these geographic boundaries. Travel and dispatch rules are governed by the local's collective bargaining agreement, ensuring that local labor is prioritized for regional projects. Members and contractors operating in this zone must adhere to the specific work rules and jurisdictional claims that distinguish Local 6 from neighboring UA locals in the Twin Cities or Southern Minnesota regions.
The contractor landscape for UA Local 6 is comprised of diverse signatory entities ranging from large mechanical primes to specialized service and repair firms. These contractors focus heavily on the institutional sector, specifically catering to the needs of the healthcare, education, and pharmaceutical industries prevalent in Rochester. While there are no specific companies named on this reference page, the market typically features regional mechanical contractors who specialize in complex hydronic systems and medical gas installations. Hiring fluctuates based on major capital projects at regional medical centers, and the signatory pool remains the primary source for contractors seeking a vetted, drug-free, and safety-certified workforce for large-scale mechanical contracts.
UA Local 6 represents a broad spectrum of piping professionals, including commercial plumbers, pipefitters, steamfitters, and HVAC-R service technicians. Their members are trained to work on diverse systems ranging from basic potable water and drainage to high-pressure steam and specialized industrial process lines required by the region's medical and manufacturing sectors.
With a journeyman rate of $44.31 and a total package exceeding $63.00, Local 6 members typically earn a wage that is highly competitive within the Rochester market. This scale is designed to attract top-tier talent to the technical demands of local healthcare construction, providing a middle-class lifestyle and robust benefits that are consistent with skilled union trades in Minnesota.
Yes, many projects within the Local 6 jurisdiction require specific certifications such as Medical Gas (Med-Gas) installation, orbital welding, or high-pressure steam licenses. The local's training department provides the necessary coursework and testing to ensure members meet Minnesota state codes and the specialized requirements of institutional signatory contractors.
As a United Association affiliate, Local 6 participates in reciprocity agreements through the UA National Pension Fund and other programs. This allows travelers working within the Rochester jurisdiction to have their fringe benefit contributions sent back to their home locals, provided the proper paperwork is filed through the Electronic Reciprocal Transfer System (ERTS).
UA Local 6 is seated in Rochester, Minnesota (MN). We hold published wage sheets for 13 locals across Minnesota — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
We are a mechanical, plumbing and electrical construction recruiting firm serving Rochester and the rest of Minnesota, including contractors signatory to UA Local 6. Our office is in South Corona, California and we place union-scale tradespeople and field leadership nationwide.
Gulfstream Strategic Placements, 4160 Temescal Canyon Road, Suite 401, Corona, CA 92883. Phone (951) 208-7780. Email hello@gulfstreamsp.com. Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM Pacific.View our verified Google Business Profile
Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 6 pay scale is $44.31 per hour for journeymen in Rochester, MN, or about $88,620 a year at 2,080 hours. The total package, including employer-paid fringe benefits, is $63.97 per hour. That is the last wage sheet we can source for this local — confirm the current rate with the hall.
Journeyman pipefitters under the UA Local 6 agreement make $44.31 an hour in base wages, or $63.97 an hour counting the fringe package, per the wage sheet effective 10/21/22. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$44.31 per hour base wage and $63.97 per hour total package for a journeyman in Rochester, MN, effective 10/21/22. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $88,620 before overtime.
A Local 6 apprentice in Rochester, MN starts at roughly $19.94 an hour — about 45% of the $44.31 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $33.23 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 6 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $19.94 an hour, or roughly $39,879 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $44.31 journeyman rate effective 10/21/22. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $28.80 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $33.23 an hour in the fourth period and $44.31 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 6 training center.
The current UA Local 6 journeyman rate is $44.31/hour, with a total package of $63.97/hour including fringe benefits, effective 10/21/22. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $88,620 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 6 business office before relying on the figure.
The $44.31/hour figure is the base journeyman wage that lands on the paycheck. The $63.97/hour total package adds employer-paid fringes — health and welfare, pension, annuity, apprenticeship training, and industry funds. Contractors bid work off the total package, so that is the number that matters when comparing plumbers & pipefitters labor costs across locals.
Apprentices under the UA Local 6 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $44.31/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $19.94–$22.16/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
UA Local 6 is headquartered in Rochester, MN and dispatches plumbers & pipefitters manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform plumbers & pipefitters work. Some Local 6 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the UA Local 6 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 6 training center directly.
Plumbers & Pipefitters apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the UA Local 6 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union plumbers & pipefitters professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 10/21/22 schedule; check with the Local 6 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 6 against neighboring jurisdictions and other plumbers & pipefitters markets.
The UA Local 6 hall is at 3111 19th St Nw Rochester, MN 55901, serving Rochester, MN and the surrounding jurisdiction. Hall phone: 507-288-4172.
UA Local 6 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Call the hall at 507-288-4172 to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
UA Local 6 can be reached at 507-288-4172. Contact details are imported from the union's public directory listing — confirm hours with the hall.